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Acoustic neuroma in children
PAEDIATRIC VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA
Non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour in children
Is an acoustic neuromas different for a child?
Acoustic neuroma's, are rarer in children than in adults and are often associated with neurofibromatosis type 2. The only confirmed risk factor for acoustic neuroma is having a parent with the rare genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 2.
In children it is a tumour that grows on the nerve of the ear. The nerve runs from your brain stem to the ear and plays a role in a child's hearing development and balance. An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumour, however, it can still cause serious problems if the tumour increases in size and becomes large enough to put pressure on the brain stem.
Need to know
The most common symptoms of an acoustic neuroma in children include:
- loss of hearing in the affected ear
- a buzzing or ringing noise (tinnitus)
- dizziness
- unsteady on their feet
Acoustic neuromas are rare in children. While they can be detected before they become too large, they are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be caused by other conditions. If your child's consultant suspects they have an acoustic neuroma, they may perform one or all of the following tests:
- check their hearing to find out if the problem is related to the nerve
- take a picture of the inside of their head with a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan
- use images from a CT (computed tomography) scan to build an image of the inside of your child's head
Your consultant will then discuss the results of any tests with you.
Your consultant will discuss treatment options with you depending on the position and size of the acoustic neuroma, how quickly the tumour is growing and your child's general health.
Among the main treatment options are:
- monitor the tumour using MRI if the symptoms are mild
- if a tumour is large or growing quickly it can be removed by surgery under general anaesthetic
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.